From rising grocery prices to a tough job market, a lot of us are tight on money at the moment. Luckily, there are plenty of options to ease financial strain in difficult times. If you’re looking for extra financial support, you may be able to receive government relief if you qualify. Save money with these 15 government programs.
SNAP
Grocery costs are painfully high lately. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers vital support to help you and your family buy food. Qualifications vary state to state and are based on your household size, but you may be eligible if you make below 130% of the federal poverty level. Apply at your state’s Human Resources office or their website.
Emergency Rental Assistance
If you’re behind on rent, you may qualify for rental assistance. Benefits vary based on your state or even your county but, in most cases, once you miss a month of rent, you can apply for supplemental funds to make rent. Be sure to look into your state’s eviction laws and be sure to figure out a plan to tackle your rent before you get a notice.
Mortgage Assistance
Those falling behind on mortgage payments have government relief options as well. Start by consulting your lender to see if they can offer a grace period. They can often issue a forbearance to allow for payment flexibility if you’re in good standing. Once you know your options with them, look into your state’s mortgage relief program options.
Low-Income Energy Assistance
Energy prices have been on the rise in recent years. While you can lower your bill by adjusting your temperature and making sure you’re not using unnecessary energy, it doesn’t always make a significant impact on your bill. Most states offer energy relief to cover a portion or your total energy cost. Look into options with your Human Resources office.
The Lifeline Program
Are you struggling to keep up with your phone or internet bill? The Lifeline Program is a federal assistance initiative aimed at helping individuals and families stay connected. Eligible candidates can receive a monthly discount on landline, mobile, or internet services. You can apply online or by mail through participating service providers.
National School Lunch Program
The National School Lunch Program is a federal initiative meant to aid in offering nutritious food to lower income children at school. The program provides low-cost or free lunch that meet national nutritional standards to children in lower income families. If you would like to apply, consult your child’s school office.
The Child Care and Development Fund
Childcare is a necessary and costly expense many families struggle to manage. The Child Care and Development Fund is a federal program that is meant to help offer relief to families in need of childcare. If you have children 13 and under, you can contact the Administration for Children and Families to apply.
Find Unclaimed Money
You may have extra money in government possession just waiting to be collected. Unclaimed money can be from uncashed checks, insurance, forgotten bank accounts, and more. The government collects this money and holds it until you come to claim it. Check unclaimed.org to see if you have any hidden funds you can cash in on.
First-Time Home Buyer
Many states offer amazing benefits for first-time home buyers. From down payment grants to special tax credits, you may have the option to graduate to home buyer status with the help of your state government. Check in with your local housing finance authority or housing agency for more information on what your state might offer.
Pell Grant
Getting an advanced education continues to offer a vital leg up in the job market. But it’s not always easy to get your foot in the door with sky-high tuition fees. Low income undergraduate students may qualify for a special financial assistance called the Pell Grant. The amount varies year to year but typically offers thousands of dollars of aid every school year.
Children’s Health Insurance Program
If you applied for Medicaid and found you make too much money to qualify, you may still be able to get health insurance for your children. The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offers coverage to children in low income families that don’t quite make the cutoff for Medicaid. Apply through your local Medicaid or CHIP office.
Survivor Benefits
Life circumstances can hit us suddenly with dire consequences. Depending on your situation, you may be able to lean on government assistance to help you through. If you are a survivor of domestic violence, workplace injury, or your spouse passed away in war, you might qualify for benefits.
Small Business Funding
Owning a business can be a rewarding path but can feel impossible without seed money. Luckily, there are government assistance programs you can apply to. There are plenty of business assistance programs for women, minorities, veterans or military spouses. If you qualify, you can receive a grant to get your business venture off the ground through grants.org or sba.org.
Disaster Benefits
Natural disasters often strike without warning and can leave you scrambling to secure housing, food, and clothing. In a lot of cases, you’re left to rebuild from square one. The government offers extensive relief for families and individuals in the aftermath of earthquakes, tornadoes, fires, and more. Programs like FEMA help disaster survivors with a variety of financial burdens.
211 Hotline
Need more help finding financial relief for your situation? The government offers a helpline to help direct you. Dial 211 to learn more about local resources for housing, food assistance, and crisis support. You can also check out 211.org to find financial relief unique to your circumstances and location.
